Content on this page requires a newer version of Adobe Flash Player.

Carnival Sunshine has over-the-water slide, milkshake bar and more

A water slide that shoots out over the edge of the ship, a zipline, a milkshake bar and a 24-hour pizzeria are some features of the upcoming $155m transformation of Carnival Destiny into Carnival Sunshine.

Carnival Cruise Lines launched a website showing the planned changes and opened a Facebook contest highlighting the make-over that will award a free cruise.

After a 49-day drydock at Fincantieri, the ship will re-enter service in April with all of the dining, bar and entertainment elements of the Fun Ship 2.0 product enhancement program, along with several distinctive features. Among those are a new racing-themed water park featuring Carnival’s longest water slide, the tropical-themed Havana Bar and a full-service Asian restaurant.

‘Before’ and ‘after’ shots are at www.carnival.com/sunshine, which also details the ship’s inaugural European and Caribbean itineraries. After a number of Mediterranean cruises, Carnival Sunshine will sail year-round from New Orleans.

By day the Havana Bar will serve as a casual gathering spot for Cuban coffee and finger foods such as pastelitos and croquetas, while at night the space transforms into a Cuban-inspired courtyard with a Latin vibe offering live music, classic Cuban cocktails and dancing. Located aft within Lido Marketplace, the Havana Bar will pay homage to Cuba with palm trees, archways, vibrant tile work and floor-to-ceiling windows.

The all new WaterWorks will provide five slides and 40 interactive water features, including a 300-gallon drenching bucket that will serve as the signature element of the SplashZone kids’ water play area. Passengers can race on Carnival’s newest ride, Speedway Splash, with dual side-by-side 235-foot-long slides with racers’ times displayed on a scoreboard and special lighting effects.

The area will also sport Carnival’s longest Twister slide, at 334 feet, including a crystal clear turn that extends out over the edge of the ship.

The full-service Asian restaurant will have an open kitchen where diners can watch chefs prepare specialties including soups, appetizers, noodle and rice dishes, seafood and meats. Lunch is complimentary; dinner carries a $12 charge.

Shake Spot will serve hand-crafted milkshakes, floats and tropical fruit shakes in an island-inspired décor. ‘Adult shakes and floats’ will be made with Grand Marnier, Cointreau and other liqueurs, all available with a variety of toppings. Passengers can buy an all-inclusive ‘Shake Lover’s Package.’

Located adjacent to Shake Spot on Promenade Deck is JavaBlue Café for specialty coffees and confections like extra-large cinnamon buns, giant cupcakes and huge slices of red velvet cake meant to be shared.

Hand-tossed, artisanal-style pizza any time of the day or night will be available at Pizzeria del Capitano, an expansion of the line’s Cucina del Capitano family-style Italian restaurant. Diners can watch as chefs prepare five kinds of Italian-style, thin-crust pies, from traditional Margherita and pepperoni to artisan-style quattro formaggio, mushroom and prosciutto—all free.

Other top deck amenities will include a three-level Serenity adults-only retreat with a pool, waterfall, a full bar and whirlpool. The new SportSquare will feature a ropes course, including a new zipline feature, deck and table games, a basketball court, jogging track and a two-level miniature golf course.

Carnival Sunshine will also offer all elements that make up the line’s $500m Fun Ship 2.0 program, from Guy’s Burger Joint to EA SPORTS Bar and Hasbro, The Game Show.

Carnival’s ‘Bring Home Some Sunshine and Win’ contest on its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/carnival) highlights what is the line’s most comprehensive ship transformation. It will award one fan with a free Carnival Sunshine cruise for submitting ‘before and after’ photos of a space that was transformed incorporating ‘sunshine.’

Copyright 2015 Seatrade. Replication or redistribution in whole or in part is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Seatrade.